After the initial ‘selling’, the agent does nothing for you. Why, then, should he continue to collect commissions on the premiums you pay?

The insurance industry continues with its merry ways. I have an annual premium policy from a multinational life insurance company. Before selling it, the agent made repeated calls and visits. He collected the first cheque from my office. In the second...

Satyam was not an exception. By and large, most companies do not inspire trust, at least not mine

Trust is a very complex word. Shakespeare said, “Love everybody but trust no one.” The Satyam saga is yet another reminder to all investors that, no matter what fences you build, there is absolutely no guarantee of safety. Each time you invest, you take your chances; you have to assume that...

Come the next bull run, all will be forgiven and forgotten about the Satyam episode

The ‘Satyam affair’ has brought into focus some very unpleasant truths about corporate governance. Family priorities have generally led to corporate action that is often perplexing; but what is heartening is that (in this instance) institutional investors and the media made enough noise for the ‘promoters’ to...